Category: News

Monday 23rd May, was the date chosen by the Master, RWBro Thomas Auber and the venue was his hometown of Newmarket in Suffolk (or is it Cambridgeshire, there was some discussion about that at the dining table).

This was the first midyear meeting of Shuttleworth Council, which is open to anyone who has held the office of Dist.G.Sec. or Dist.Assist.G.Sec. The aim is to foster and develop good relations with Districts around the country. Judging by the attendance and the general buzz of conversation throughout the evening the Council is off to a flying start. There were 47 brethren there, including some distinguished guests, including our Dist.G.Pref. RWBro Mervyn Wilson, looking very dapper in his new suit as you can see the photos, to witness the Assistant Grand Secretary, WBro Dan Heath who gave an interesting and fact filled talk about the work done on our behalf at Mark Masons’ Hall. The Council also balloted for four joining members and two Honorary members and is now composed of brethren from 13 different Districts.

This was followed by a regular meeting of Icknield Council 209, who hosted our meeting, where they admitted two new members to the Order. The ceremony was carried out in fine style much to the delight of the Grand Master.

We were then treated to a very enjoyable festive board. The Director of Ceremonies gave us the traditional Newmarket start of “we are under starters orders, and we’re off!” . Any Allied Masonic Degrees brother is entitled and very welcome to attend Shuttleworth Council .

Details of future meetings will be on the website including the next meeting which will be the installation at Rochdale Masonic Hall on Friday 9th September 2022.

  The April meeting of MEH (Grand Officers) Council 160, at Bryn Masonic Hall saw a fabulous Red Cross of Babylon ceremony by the members of MEH including the DGPs of East Lancashire and West Lancashire and a few invited guest ritualists. Every office was filled and 14 Knights were admitted to the Degree in fine style. The high number due to a roll over from Covid times.

There were 45 in attendance and the meeting was followed by a wonderful meal and fraternal fellowship. Sadly three of the candidates escaped before the group photo was taken.

Both of the current District Wardens are members of the same craft lodge – Robert Burns No 999 which meets at Salford Masonic Hall in the province of East Lancashire.

District Grand Junior Warden, Mike Green had been master of Robert Burns for three years owing to the suspension during the covid outbreak. So he was very keen to install his successor who just happens to be the District Senior Warden, Allan Shields.

All of this happened in front of our Deputy District Grand Prefect, Peter Hegarty who was in attendance at the meeting in his capacity as Salford District Chairman.

Allan was installed in fine style , the Allied theme extends further as the District Grand Treasurer, Jeff Huddart is also a member of the lodge and was invested as the lodge Junior Deacon later in the ceremony.

Plenty of work to do – Allan will have a candidate to initiate in October!

A delegation from our district paid a visit to the district meeting of our neighbours – West Lancashire.

The meeting was held at Preston, our District Grand Prefect, Mervyn Wilson was accompanied by his Deputy , Peter Hegarty and acting officers.

This meeting was well attended by brethren from all around the country as well as also having The Most Worthy, The Grand Master of the order Tom Jackson in attendance.

West Lancashire’s District Grand Prefect made every one most welcome and his team put on a great show which was followed up by a most memorable festive board.

An exciting new council is being launched! If you are interested and qualify to join ( Being a Master Mason , Royal Arch Companion and a Mark Master Mason or above) please contact via the website by email – web.amdel@gmail.com.

Download a copy of the District Diary here:

Herbert Barrington Slater Council No 234 had not met for close on two years due to the pandemic, but what a come back meeting took place Saturday at Salford Masonic Hall.

Lets start with an installation. Acting Master and District Secretary, Graham Newton opened the lodge and welcomed its distinguished guest, the head of the order in East Lancashire; Mervyn Wilson.

It was now time to start adding some members to the council as Ivan Millington and Nigel Bramley Howarth were welcomed aboard.

With the all the council business now out of the way Peter Hegarty, the Deputy Head presented Craig Wood as Master Elected ready to be installed. However Craig was on crutches having torn ligaments an injury so things were just a little bit different, he had waited two years for this and very determined to get in the chair.

A fabulous ceremony ensued conducted by Graham and Craig was pleased to appoint his new team of officers for his year in the chair.

It was now time to once again swell the numbers with some new members, three candidates this time – Nigel Dunlop, Paul Joynson and Steven Graham who were all admitted in a fantastic ceremony of The Degree of St Lawrence The Martyr delivered by Craig as his first duty as new master.

As the end of a first and eventful meeting back neared, Mervyn congratulated both Graham and Craig for the work done and welcomed the new members to the order by presenting them with a grid iron lapel badge.

Council business complete the brethren enjoyed a hearty meal downstairs at the festive board which gave the chance for the new members to really get to know their new lodge mates and enjoy the harmony and conversations.

The heads of both Lancashire Districts – East and West, Mervyn Wilson and Paul Snape accompanied by their Deputies and a good delegation of Lancashire brethren made the long trip down to Croydon for the Surrey District meeting.

Paul Snape begs the question which comes first – your tie or collarette? The meeting was enjoyable and following which the Lancashire contingent were made very welcome at the festive board.

Thanks to Paul Snape for the photos and article.

The District of Cumberland and Westmorland held it’s District meeting at Cleator Moor. Heading to Cumbria was a small delegation from our district including Deputy District head Peter Hegarty, representing Mervyn Wilson, District Secretary Graham Newton and Jack Lyon.

Peter said ‘it was a great meeting’ hosted by the Head of the province Eddie Crosby who also had in attendance the Grand Master’ Thomas Firth Jackson and John Hale, Past Deputy Grand Master. Eddie in his eighth year as the district’s head, also welcomed many other brethren from all around the country. He said it was great to be back to a real meeting, the last one had to be done by zoom due to covid restrictions being in place.